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Louisiana's climate (subtropical in the south and temperate in the north) and rich alluvial soil make the state one of the nation's leading producers of sweet potatoes, rice, and sugarcane. Other major commodities are soybeans, cotton, and dairy products, and strawberries, corn, hay, pecans, and truck vegetables are produced in quantity. Fishing is a major industry; shrimp, menhaden, and oysters are principal catches. Louisiana is a leading fur-trapping state; its marshes (7,409 sq mi/19,189 sq km of the state's area is underwater) supply most of the country's muskrat furs. Pelts are also obtained from mink, nutria, coypus, opossums, otter, and raccoon. 
A variety of recreational facilities makes the state an excellent vacationland; some of its lakes (e.g., Pontchartrain) have been highly developed as resort areas, and there is superb hunting and fishing throughout much of the region.
Tourism is increasingly important to the state economy; New Orleans is the major attraction with its history, nightlife, and Old World charm. The largest city in Louisiana, it is especially noted for its picturesque French quarter, which has many celebrated restaurants, and for the Mardi Gras perhaps the most famous festival in the United States held annually since 1838.
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History of "Mandeville" on the lake
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Mandeville is known as the oldest inhabited locality in St. Tammany Parish from the view of acquisition and settlement. It was first settled in l739 by brave pioneers who crossed the lake and moored up Bayou Castine, settling in what is now Mandeville. More followed, but it was not until Bernard de Marigny landed in l834 that real development came. Mandeville became part of the land owned and purchased by Bernard de Marigny and was incorporated in l840. Here, Marigny sought rest from his busy commerce in the city. He generously entertained guests and friends and literally introduced the North Shore to the citizens of New Orleans, who began to follow the path across the lake. The clear, healthy water and ozone air attracted many, who traversed by boat and later by rail to enjoy the rich properties of the North Shore. Mandeville's hotels and restaurants increased between l880 and l900 to accommodate all visitors. It was during this time that "Old Mandeville" developed. Cottages began to app ear, dotting the landscape with rich color and jigsaw work elements that became characteristic of this little lakeside town. Recreation abounded for residents and visitors alike by offering sailing and boat racing which became popular activities. The first recorded regatta at Mandeville was held on July 27, l888. With the increase of visitors and water transportation, it was recorded that certain laws needed to be in place. Piers and bath houses in the lake were becoming common, but so were people in so-called scantily clad bathing suits. The Mandeville Town Council adopted an ordinance on May 13, l920 which read that "it shall be unlawful for any person over the age of 14 years to appear in a public place on the beach or elsewhere in the Town of Mandeville, clad in a one piece bathing suit or in what is commonly known as a trunk bathing suit. Be it further ordained that is shall be unlawful for any person to appear on any street of the town attired in a bathing costume, unless said person wears a suitable robe covering the body from the shoulders to the knees." The fine was not more than $25 and punishment for violators could be 15 days imprisonment or both."
At the end of the nineteenth century the railroads began to flourish and the boom began. Mandeville became the center for many events, such as the Retail Grocer's Convention in l925, the annual Mandeville Bathing Beauty Contest, and the Fourth of July Celebration. The concrete seawall began construction in l913, because of the constant destruction of the wooden one by former hurricanes, including the one in l893. But before it could be completed, the hurricane of l9l5 caused waves to repeatedly smash the broken pilings against the seawall. Ironically the concrete seawall suffered much damage in the hurricane of l9l5 as well but was finally reconstructed.
 After WWII, the long proposed causeway across the lake finally became a reality. With this bridge to New Orleans being completed, the dream of many New Orleanians to move to the North Shore and commute across the lake was finally coming true. The impact of the causeway's completion and the second span was phenomenal and is still being recorded, as our census tolls are reaching new heights year after year.
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St. Tammany Parish was part of a Spanish territory called West Florida. West Florida was not part of the Louisiana Purchase territory. Just two weeks prior to West Florida being ceded into the United States, the area that is now Covington was granted by the Spanish to another New Orleanian, Jacques Drieux. John Wharton Collins purchased the Drieux tract in 1813 and established the Town of Wharton on July 4th. He laid the town out in its unique pattern of squares within squares (ox lots) which were accessed by alleyways, and named the town’s center the Division of St. John, now the historic district. It is this unique design, which was largely responsible for placement of the Division of St. John on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. The city was formally incorporated in 1816 by the state legislature and renamed Covington much to the chagrin of John Wharton Collins who then returned to live out his life in New Orleans. His body was returned upon his death in 1817 and he is buried in Covington Cemetery No. 1 facing City Hall at the corner of N. Columbia and Kirkland Street. There are conflicting stories as to how the city came to be named Covington. One theory was that Covington was named in honor of General Leonard Covington a hero of the War of 1812. However, local historian, Judge Steve Ellis floats another theory centered around the suggestion by Jesse Jones, a local attorney, that the city be named in honor of the Blue Grass whiskey enjoyed by town officials that was made in Covington, Kentucky.
As the Parish (county) seat since 1829, Covington was the center of commerce, industry and government on the Northshore for many years. The area’s principle industries included lumber and related pine products, brick production and agriculture. Goods were transported via the Bogue Falaya River from the Columbia St. Landing across Lake Pontchartrain to New Orleans. Tourism became popular at the turn of the century. People believed in the medicinal powers of the ozone waters of the Northshore and visited hotels in Covington to bathe and partake of “the cure” as it had been dubbed during a yellow fever outbreak in New Orleans in 1878. In 1891 Covington was named “THE MOST HEALTHY PLACE IN THE UNITED STATES” (taken from the book St. Tammany Parish, by Frederick S. Ellis) due to the low number of deaths per population recorded in the 1890 census. It is notable that these healthy people voted against secession in 1860. St. Tammany Parish delegates voted no to secession at the state legislature’s convention. By the time Civil War was declared, eight national flags had flown over St. Tammany Parish. The railroad arrived in 1887, and the first telephones were installed in 1884. Now on to more recent developments......
The historic Division of St. John comprises Covington’s downtown. As a result of the oil bust of 1986, much of Covington’s downtown was boarded up as recently as the early 1990s. In response to a slumping economy and decline downtown, the City applied to become a “Main Street” community and was accepted in 1987. The National Main Street Program is a downtown revitalization program, which is administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It consists of a four point approach to revitalization: 1) Organization - whereby a Main Street manager is hired who assembles a board of volunteers from the community who are stakeholders in the downtown area, to implement the program; 2) Promotion - which includes retail promotions and special events to re-establish interest and activity in the downtown; 3) Economic Restructuring – which is an organized effort to attract businesses back to the downtown with incentives, and support retention of the existing businesses; and 4) Design - which oversees the restoration of buildings and maintenance of the integrity of historic downtown architecture. Covington completed the five-year program and became a graduate Main Street community in 1992. As a result of this revitalization effort downtown Covington has experienced a resurgence of retail and professional uses.
Covington’s present economic state: After experiencing a slow down in retail sales during the late 1990s, the City entered its second phase of revitalization. Once population growth in St. Tammany Parish reached the “critical mass” necessary to support Covington’s retailers, sales tax revenues increased accordingly. Upward trends in the local economy and migration further north have resulted in a “business boom” in Covington as reported by the Times Picayune in January 2005. Another contributing factor to the vibrancy downtown is the presence of the new St. Tammany Parish Justice Center. This $60,000,000 investment has attracted several new businesses and attorneys’ offices. It also keeps cyclical jury pools of 300 people each, visiting downtown Covington on a regular basis.
Covington has also established itself as a regional tourist destination. The City provides recreational opportunities and numerous special events that attract thousands of visitors annually. The Covington Three Rivers Art Festival is a major regional festival that attracts up to 30,000 visitors each November to view fine art and crafts displayed outdoors along six blocks of Columbia St. from the Landing to City Hall in downtown by 150 or more artists from across the nation. Covington is proud to boast that it is home to one of the state’s premier Farmers Markets. The Market is held each Wednesday and Saturday on the lawn of City Hall and has grown to annual gross sales of nearly $1,000,000. The Market not only offers a unique gathering and shopping place to residents and visitors, it has become a very successful business incubator and a strong factor in the preservation of small farms in our region. |
Madisonville "The Hidden Hamlet"
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Being one of the oldest communities in Louisiana, Madisonville is a flavorful gumbo of all the great things southeast Louisiana has to offer. Originally named “Cokie”, from the French word Coquille meaning shell, the town’s name was changed in 1811 to honor President James Madison. Because of its position on the Tchefuncte River, the town’s history has always been shaped by water. Part of the town actually rests on the now extinct Jahncke Shipyard. At its height, the shipyard employed over 2000 people. During the 1920’s-1940’s, a mass exodus of New Orleanians came to Madisonville via large steamers every weekend during the summer.
As a result of this rich history, the town has eight sites listed on the National Historic Register. The dwellings on the register range in architecture from Greek revival to Creole cottage. Most notable of these are: the Regent Square Home located at 206 Covington Street, the Madisonville Bank located at 400 Cedar Street; the Otis House located within Fairview State Park, and the old Madisonville Town Hall/Jail located at 203 Cedar Street. Be sure to get a glimpse of these historic structures during your visit.
No visit to Madisonville is complete without taking a drive south through town to the shores of Lake Ponchartrain. (Turn south at the only red light in town. Just follow the road until it dead-ends at the lake.) Initially this drive will take you past some of the most beautiful homes in Madisonville. As you wind your wind south by the Tchefuncte River, you will begin to break out of town and into marsh habitat. Watch carefully for the Ospreys and Bald Eagles as they search over the saw grass for prey. As you continue to the end of this road, begin looking to your left. There you will see the Tchefuncte River Lighthouse. Built in 1838, this lighthouse is a monument to the area’s nautical history. Standing over 43 feet tall and made of brick and stucco, this is one of the oldest structures along the lake. Originally the lighthouse stood only 30 feet tall. This structure however was destroyed during the Civil War, and it was rebuilt into what we see today. Although only currently accessible by boat and in grave disrepair, plans are currently underway to restore the lighthouse to its once grand stature. If restoration efforts are successful, the light keeper’s quarters, which are now located at the Madisonville Boatyard, are hoped to be once again placed next to the lighthouse. After the restoration is complete, be sure to take advantage and view this historic structure.
As with all good things there is also a down side to Madisonville. With all this great atmosphere, good food, and things to do everyone must heed one warning. If you stay too long you may not want to leave! |
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The Abita Springs Pavilion, constructed in 1888, is important for its historic role as a popular resort spot for New Orleans residents from the late 19th century through the 1960s. When covering the renewed interest in preserving the Pavilion in 1972, one New Orleans newspaper printed, "There are scores of New Orleanians who nostalgically remember their childhoods when their parents took them to Abita Springs for the summer." A raised, wooden, octagonal structure, 46 feet high and 52.6 feet in diameter, the Pavilion has a concrete foundation with four drinking fountains, now capped, where visitors could sip from the springs. In 1867, a local physician, Dr. T. M. D. Davidson, purchased the property upon which the Pavilion was built. Dr. Davidson knew of the local Choctaw Indians' belief in the healing powers of the springs and promoted the medicinal effects of the spring waters. Word of the springs spread to neighboring communities and, in 1887, the first railroad arrived to the area. Boarding houses, hotels, and restaurants were soon constructed to accommodate visitors.
In 1888, the St. Tammany Farmer reported on the construction of the Abita Springs Pavilion, "Messrs. Poitivent and Favre have built a commodious pavilion over the springs, so constructed as to be beyond the reach of high water." An article entitled "Life at Abita Springs" from the same newspaper described the "pleasure seekers from among the wage-workers and counter hoppers of the great Southern Emporium.. all who can move around light, out for a ramble to the springs and through the pinewoods.. or can recline upon the seats of the ample pavilion. There are four well kept and commodious hotels in a few hundred yards of the main Artesian Saline Calebian Springs." In 1903 the town of Abita Springs was formally organized and later chartered in 1912. The State of Louisiana purchased the Pavilion in 1948 and added it to the state park system. In 1965, the St. Tammany Parish School Board purchased the property. It is now used for numerous community activities.
The area now known as Abita Springs was the home of Native Americans as far back as 2200 years ago. There was plentiful game, fish, and spring water that made this area very suitable for a comfortable life. A succession of different tribes continued to live here until the repressive government policies forced the Native Americans into Oklahoma. A few remained or returned later. |
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